Method and apparatus for provisioning an alternative energy source generator

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for provisioning an alternative energy source generator operable with a gateway in communication with a web portal are provided herein. In one embodiment, the method includes entering system information into the gateway, and transmitting the system information to the web portal. The method also includes validating the system information, determining configuration information for the alternative energy source generator in response to validation of the system information, and transmitting the configuration information to the gateway. The method also includes initiating a discovery process to ascertain discovery information for the alternative energy source generator in response to the configuration information, and transmitting the discovery information to the web portal. The method still further includes validating the discovery information and configuring the alternative energy source generator with the gateway in accordance with the configuration information and in response to validation of the discovery information.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/818,014, which was filed on Aug. 4, 2015, andwhich claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/033,389 entitled “Automated Provisioning ofArrays of Alternating Current Photovoltaic Modules,” filed Aug. 5, 2014,the entire contents of each of these applications is incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND

An emerging trend in photovoltaic (“PV”) power systems is that ofalternating current photovoltaic (“ACPV”) modules. An ACPV moduleconsists of the integration of a solar module (sometimes called a PVmodule, solar panel, or PV panel) and a small direct current-alternatingcurrent (“DC-AC”) power converter (often called a microinverter). TheACPV module produces AC output power rather than DC output power that isoutput by a conventional (DC) solar module.

The ACPV modules produce a relatively small amount of power, typicallyin the range of 200 watts (“W”) to 400 W. As such, they are normallyaggregated in arrays of many ACPV modules in order to increase theoverall power. Such arrays are often installed on rooftops and becomedifficult to access afterwards. As such, the most convenient time tocollect the serial numbers and relative positioning of the ACPV modulesis during installation.

The act of collecting identifying information of the ACPV module systemis sometimes called “provisioning” the system. Provisioning may alsoinclude recording the geographic coordinates, time zone, address, andother relevant information of the system. Since ACPV modules are rapidto physically install compared to conventional systems of solar modules,it follows that the provisioning should also be comparatively fast. Assuch, the provisioning should be automated to the degree possible.

However, provisioning on the ACPV module systems has normally included anumber of manual steps, making it error prone and potentially slowerthan it can be. In some cases, serial numbers (via bar codes or quickresponse (“QR”) codes, for example), are scanned with a “gun” or cellphone camera or other suitable scanning device. To follow, there are anumber of manual steps including downloading the data into a gateway(also referred to herein as a gateway device), manually entering timezone or other geographically-related data, and communicating that databack to a centralized location. Ideally, these steps (and others) wouldbe more streamlined and take place concurrently, as much as possible,with the physical placement of the ACPV modules. In addition, there areerrors that occur due to duplicates of gateway devices, ACPV modules,and possibly other equipment, since such equipment is sometimes moved orrepurposed, or errors have been committed in the provisioning process.Such errors result in wasted time and money.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The concepts described herein are illustrated by way of example and notby way of limitation in the accompanying figures. For simplicity andclarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale. Where considered appropriate, referencelabels have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding oranalogous elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an embodiment of asystem of alternative energy source aerators and associated equipment;and

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart representing an embodiment of anautomated provisioning method of the system of FIG. 1.

Corresponding numerals and symbols m the different figures generallyrefer to corresponding parts unless otherwise indicated. The figures aredrawn to clearly illustrate the relevant aspects of the preferredembodiments and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof havebeen shown by way of example in the drawings and will be describedherein in detail. It should be understood, however that there is nointent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particularforms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the presentdisclosure and the appended claims.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodimentdescribed may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily includethat particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, suchphrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further,when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within theknowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure,or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or notexplicitly described.

The disclosed embodiments may be implemented, in some cases, inhardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. The disclosedembodiments may also be implemented as instructions carried by or storedon a transitory or non-transitory machine-readable (e.g.,computer-readable) storage medium, which may be read and executed by oneor more processors. A machine-readable storage medium may be embodied asany storage device, mechanism, or other physical structure for storingor transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g. avolatile or non-volatile memory, a media disc, or other media device).

In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown inspecific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should beappreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not berequired. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged ina different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative FIGUREs.Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in aparticular FIGURE is not meant to imply that such feature is required inall embodiments and, in some embodiments, may not be included or may becombined with other features.

An automated method and process for provisioning a system of alternativeenergy source generators is described. In an embodiment, alternativeenergy source generators in the system are formed with ACPV modules. Themethod may include entering system information about the alternativeenergy source generators into a gateway, transmitting the systeminformation about the alternative energy source generators to a webportal, validating the system information with the web portal,determining configuration information for the system with the webportal, transmitting the configuration information to the gateway,conducting a discovery process via the gateway, transmitting discoveryinformation to the web portal via the gateway, validating and correctingthe discovery information in the web portal, transmitting to the gatewaycorrected discovery information, and configuring the system incompliance with the configuration information.

The web portal may provide error messages regarding the systeminformation, configuration information, or discovery informationobtained by the gateway. The system information may include globalpositioning system (“GPS”) coordinates, time zone and locationinformation of the alternative energy source generators, naminginformation, and/or installer information. The entering of the systeminformation may be conducted via manual entry directly into the gateway,via a mobile computer or phone either wired or connected wirelessly tothe gateway, and/or via a scanning device. The configuration informationmay include utility grid settings and/or time zone information.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for automatically provisioning asystem formed with alternative energy source generators is introduced.In an embodiment, the alternative energy source generators are ACPVmodules. The apparatus may include a gateway that may be coupled to aweb portal via an internet connection. The gateway may also be couple dto an array of alternative energy source generators. The gateway maycommunicate with the alternative energy source generators via a powerline carrier (“PLC”) protocol. The gateway may receive systeminformation from a system installer. The gateway may, upon initiation,transmit the system information to the web portal. The web portal, uponreceipt of the system information, may validate and record the systeminformation. The web portal may communicate error messages or correctedsystem information to the gateway. The web portal may also communicateconfiguration information to the gateway. The gateway, upon receipt ofthe configuration information, may initiate a discovery process. Thegateway, via the discovery process, may ascertain discovery informationabout the alternative energy source generators. The gateway, uponascertaining the discovery information, may transmit the discoveryinformation to the web portal. The web portal, upon receipt of thediscovery information, may validate and record the discoveryinformation. The web portal may also communicate an acknowledgement ofthe discovery information to the gateway. Upon receipt of anacknowledgement of the discovery information from the web portal, thegateway may configure the array of alternative energy source generatorsaccording to the configuration information.

The web portal may provide error messages regarding the systeminformation, configuration information, or discovery information. Thesystem information may include global positioning system (“GPS”)coordinates, time zone information, location information, naminginformation, and/or installer information. The receiving the systeminformation may be conducted via manual entry directly into the gateway,via a mobile computer or phone either wired or connected wirelessly tothe gateway, and/or via a scanning device. The configuration informationmay include utility grid settings and/or time zone information.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated is an embodiment of a system 100for generating alternative energy including “K” branch circuits 101,each coupled to a service panel 103 via AC cables 102. The branchcircuits 101 contain one or more “modules” that may be any kind ofalternative energy source generator including the aforementioned ACPVmodules (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,599,587, which is incorporatedherein by reference).

An exemplary ACPV module is illustrated with respect to the branchcircuit 101 designated “Branch Circuit K.” The ACPV module may beembodied as photovoltaic modules coupled to or including solar panels.As such, the ACPV module may include a DC photovoltaic module(designated “DC PV module”) and an inverter. The DC photovoltaic nodulemay be embodied as one or more photovoltaic cells and is configured todeliver DC power to the inverter in response to receiving an amount ofsunlight. Of course, the DC power delivered by the DC photovoltaicmodule is a function of environmental variables such as, withoutlimitation, sunlight intensity, sunlight angle of incidence andtemperature. The inverter is configured to convert the DC powergenerated by the DC photovoltaic module to AC power. In someembodiments, the inverter and the DC photovoltaic module are located ina common housing. Alternatively, the inverter may include its ownhousing secured to the housing of the DC photovoltaic module.Additionally, in some embodiments, the inverter is separate from thehousing of the DC photovoltaic module, but located nearby.

The inverters may include a DC-to-AC inverter circuit (designated“inverter circuit”) and an inverter controller (designated“controller”). The DC-to-AC inverter circuit may be configured toconvert the DC power generated by the DC photovoltaic module to AC powerat the power grid frequency. The operation of the inverter may becontrolled and monitored by the inverter controller. The illustrativeinverter controller includes a processor (designated “P”) and a memory(designated “M”). Additionally, the inverter controller may includeother devices commonly found in controllers which are not illustrated inFIG. 1 for clarity of description. Such additional devices may include,for example, peripheral devices, data storage devices, input/outputports, and/or other devices.

The processor of the inverter controller (and other processorsintroduced herein) may be embodied as any type of processor capable ofperforming the functions described herein including, but not limited to,a microprocessor, digital signal processor, microcontroller, or thelike. The processor is illustratively embodied as a single coreprocessor, but may be embodied as a multi-core processor having multipleprocessor cores in other embodiments. Additionally, the invertercontroller may include additional processors having one or moreprocessor cores in other embodiments.

The memory of the inverter controller (and other memory introducedherein) may be embodied as one or more memory devices or data storagelocations including, for example, dynamic random access memory devices(“DRAM”), synchronous dynamic random access memory devices (“SDRAM”),double-data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory device (“DDRSDRAM”), flash memory devices, and/or other volatile memory devices. Thememory is communicatively coupled to the processor via a number ofsignal paths, such as a data bus, point-to-point connections, or otherinterconnects. Although only a single memory is illustrated in FIG. 1,in other embodiments, the inverter controller may include additionalmemory.

The service panel 103 is in turn coupled to the power grid 104 via autility connection 105. This configuration is typical of residential andcommercial buildings. The service panel 103 includes circuit breakers,surge suppression, bus bars, and other components understood by one ofordinary skill in the art to be commonly used or specified by buildingcodes. One of ordinary skill in the art would also understand that theservice panel 103 may be practically implemented by one or more panels,one of which may be known as an “aggregation” panel.” Residential andcommercial buildings may have more than one service panel 103, some ofwhich may comprise the system 100 and some of which may serve typicalload circuits, such as lighting, air conditioning and the like. Thepower grid 104 may be any power grid, such as the United Statesinterconnect, which typically provides 240 volts alternating current(“VAC”) at 60 hertz (“Hz”). The utility connection 105 services as thepoint of connection to the power grid 104. Such utility connections 105are often specified in terms of their current rating, such as a “200-ampservice,” for a system capable, of providing up to 200 amperes (“A”) ofelectrical current to the building.

The system 100 also includes at least one gateway 106 which functions asa communication unit and includes a processor (designated “P”) andmemory (designated “M”). The gateway 106 is shown connected to theservice panel 103 via a communications connection 107, which may be adedicated “hardline” connection to the service panel 103. Thecommunications connection 107 may also be simply a power cord such aswould normally be plugged into a normal wall power outlet. In that case,the gateway 106 and the communications connection 107 may be consideredto be a part of a branch circuit 101. In practice, the gateway 106 maybe physically located at, near or within the service panel 103 in orderto reduce (e.g., minimize) the distance that communication signalstravel to reach the service panel 103. This is important in anembodiment, in which the gateway 106 communicates with the branchcircuits 101 via power line carrier (“PLC”) communications. However, thegateway 106 does communicate via PLC communications, it may be pluggedin anywhere in the building that ultimately couples to the service panel103. Indeed, if there is more than one service panel 103, and allservice panels are connected to the same power grid 104, then thegateway 106 may be coupled to any of the service panels 103. Locatingthe gateway 106 away from the service panel 103 may reducecommunications fidelity, but some users may prefer a remote location toallow easier physical access.

The system 100 also includes a grid interface 109 by which operators ofthe power grid 104 may control the system 100. The grid interface 109may be an automated control system, such as a supervisory control anddata acquisition system (“SCADA”), internet portal, or other computer,computer network, or device capable of electronic communication. Thegrid interface 109 is coupled to the gateway 106 via a communicationschannel 108, which may be a wired or wireless internet connection usinga protocol such as transmission control protocol/internet protocol(“TCP/IP”), a grid-based power line carrier connection (distinct fromany power line carrier communication s that may occur within the branchcircuits 101), or any other suitable method for grid operators to enableelectronic communication with the gateway 106.

The system 100 also includes a web portal 110 (including a processor(designated “P”) and memory (designated “M”)) that communicates with thegateway 106 with a web connection 111. It is also possible for thecommunications channel 108 to double as the web connection 111 if theyare both internet-enabled communications channels. In any case, the webportal 110 is an interface that people or automated equipment can use toexchange data and instructions with the system 100. The web portal 110may include a graphical user interface (“GUI”) through which users maysee visual representations of data and system configuration. Largely,however, the web portal 110 maintains a database of information aboutthe system 100 in memory and generally of a large plurality of systems100.

The database would include at least the serial numbers of the ACPVmodules contained within the branch circuits 101, as well as the serialnumber of the gateway 106. In addition to the serial numbers, otheridentifying information such as the power grid configuration, productconfiguration, and the like. Naturally, the database could containconflicting serial numbers, particularly in the case of manual entry ofdata. This information can be transmitted to the gateway 106 as a partof an acknowledgment, validation or other message. The system 100 alsoincludes a communication device (e.g., a computer or phone, or ascanning device including a processor (designated “P”) and memory(designated “M”)) 112 to allow wired or wireless connectively to thegateway 106 for providing information (e.g., system information,configuration information ardor discovery information) to or receivinginformation from the gateway 106.

Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated is an embodiment of a method 200 forautomatic provisioning of the system 100 of FIG. 1. The method 200begins after the physical installation of the system 100, wherein with astep 201 the installer enters the system information into the gateway106. The system information includes at least a serial number (orequivalent identifier) of gateway 106 The system information may alsoinclude a phonetic name of the site (e.g., “Smith Residence” or “XYZIndustries Site #27”), a locator (potentially provided by globalpositioning system (“GPS”) data), and the name of the local electricutility. The GPS data may be obtained via a number of means, including amobile computer or phone, or if so equipped, via the gateway 106 itself.Of course, other information can be entered during the step 201,depending on the precise configuration of the gateway 106 and thedesires of the installer.

This data entry can be done manually, for instance, by keying it inthrough a pushbutton display on the gateway 106, or by connecting anaforementioned mobile computer or phone to the gateway 106 and utilizingthe potentially richer graphical user interface available in suchdevices. The step 201 can also be accomplished with the aid of a barcode or QR code scanner that can retrieve the serial number of thegateway 106 and then transmit it to the gateway 106 via a wired orwireless connection. In any case, the step 201 completes with the entryof system information into the gateway 106.

The installer signals the completion of data entry in a step 202 byinitiating a provision command. Initiating the provision command may bedone simply by pressing an appropriate button on the gateway 106, or viathe aforementioned mobile computer or phone, or any other knowntechnique for signaling an electronic device to start a process. Uponreceipt of the provision command, the system information is transmittedto the web portal 110 from the gateway 106 via the web connection 111using any ordinary internet communications approach in a step 203.

Upon receipt of the system information, in a step 204, the web portal110 checks or validates the system information against its existingdatabase of system information, which may consist of information fromnumerous other sites. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the serial numberof the gateway 106 may be checked against serial numbers already storedin the database. Through data entry errors, it is possible for a serialnumber to be duplicated or otherwise incorrectly entered. Of course,other system information may also be checked for validity. For example,GPS coordinates may be checked for proper format and reasonableness andself-consistency (such as an entered ZIP code comports with the GPScoordinates), Such checks are accomplished in a step 205, wherein inFIG. 2 a non-limiting example is provided of a serial number check. Asshown in FIG. 2, if the gateway 106 serial number is already in thedatabase (i.e., the serial number is a duplicate), then the method 200reports an error back to the gateway 106 in a step 213. Likewise, if anyother error is detected, the method 200 is terminated and the error isreported back to the gateway 106. At this point, the installer mayrestart the method 200 after having corrected any reported errors.

In the case where no errors are reported, a step 206 is entered, whereinthe web portal 110 stores the validated it in its database. Followingthis, in a step 207, the web portal 110 determines configurationinformation and transmits it to the gateway 106. Example configurationinformation would include the time zone and any special utility gridsettings. More specifically, the time zone may be determined with theaid of the aforementioned GPS coordinates. The utility grid settingsvary by location and utility service. As one of many examples, in partsof Hawaii there are exceptions to the usual inverter standard of IEEE1547, which is incorporated herein by reference, for trip limits. In onecase, a lower frequency trip limit is required to be 57 Hz rather thanthe conventional 59.3 Hz. As such, the step 207 of the automaticprovisioning can avoid errors on the part of the installer in enteringmistaken configuration settings, which may vary from site to site andfrom time to time.

In a step 208, the configuration information has been received by thegateway 106. As is conventional with internet communications, thegateway 106 will have acknowledged receipt of the information and theweb portal 110 may record this acknowledgement. Such a feature may behelpful to installers, inspectors, or customer service agents indetermining that the gateway 106 indeed has been properly configured.Upon receipt of the configuration information, the gateway 106automatically initiates a “discovery process” wherein the ACPV moduleswithin the branch circuits 101 are discovered by the gateway 106. Thediscovery process effectively amounts to determining the serial numbers(or other identifying information) of all the ACPV modules that areincluded within the system 100. As an example, see U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2012/0089260, which is incorporated hereinby reference, for an exemplary discovery process. Upon conclusion of thediscovery, the gateway 106 contains the discovery information, includingat least the serial number of the ACPV modules from the system 100 aswell as any other pertinent information.

In a step 209, the discovery information is transmitted back to the webportal 110. The discovery information is received in a step 210, whereinthe web portal 110 records the discovery information along with thesystem information. The step 210 series as further acknowledgement of asuccessful system provisioning. However, just as in the step 205, it ispossible that errors have occurred during the discovery process. Assuch, the web portal 110 will cross-reference the discovery informationwith its database and report any errors or corrections a step 211. Someerrors may be easily and automatically correctable, while others mayreveal duplicate ACPV modules or other irreconcilable conflicts.Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 2, if errors are transmitted backto the gateway 106, then naturally the installer can take correctiveaction and repeat the discovery process starting at the step 208.Ordinarily, the gateway 106 will be provided with manual overrides tothe automated method 200, so that troubleshooting may occur on the partof the installer or customer service agents. For example, the installermay be aware that 20 ACPV modules have been physically installed but thediscovery information reveals that only 19 have been discovered. Such asituation reveals to the installer that one ACPV module ismalfunctioning or improperly installed. Such troubleshooting featuresand manual overrides are not explicitly shown in FIG. 2, but should beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art to be necessary.

Upon completion of the step 211, the gateway 106 updates its own recordsof system information configuration information, and discoveryinformation, and configures the ACPV modules in the system 100 with theconfiguration information in a step 212. The gateway 106 can transmitany special signals to the ACPV modules in the system 100 in accordancewith the configuration information. For example, if special trip limitshave been provided for the configuration information, then the gateway106 will proceed to program each CPV module with the special trip limitsin the step 212.

Via the web portal 110, a third party, such as an inspector or othergovernment official, may review the system information, configurationinformation, and discovery information in a step 213. This third partymay further be able to ascertain that the system 100 has been properlyinstalled and configured and, thereafter, issue an approval to operatethe system 100 in a step 214. This approval may be provided via the webportal 110 and recorded in its database. The approval may also beprovided and recorded in the gateway 106 in a step 215.

Thus, a method and apparatus for automatic provisioning of a system ofalternative energy source generators such as ACPV modules with readilyattainable and quantifiable advantages has been introduced. In anembodiment, the method includes entering, into a gateway, systeminformation and transmitting the system information from the gateway toa web portal. Once the system information is validated, the web portaltransmits an error message or configuration information to the gateway.Upon receipt of configuration information, the gateway initiates adiscovery process of the ACPV modules in the system and transmitsdiscovery information to the web portal. The web portal validates thediscovery information and transmits an error message or anacknowledgement message to the gateway. In response thereto, the gatewayconfigures the ACPV modules. While the aforementioned method describesthe provisioning with respect to a gateway and web portal, it should beunderstood that the provisioning can be performed by a single entity orfurther distributed as the application dictates.

In an embodiment, an apparatus (e.g., a gateway) for provisioning of analternative energy source generator (e.g., an ACPV module) includes aprocessor, and memory including computer program code. The memory andthe computer program code are configured to, with the processor, causethe apparatus to receive system information, transmit the systeminformation to a web portal, and receive configuration information forthe alternative energy source generator in response to validation of thesystem information. The memory and the computer program code are furtherconfigured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to initiate adiscovery process to ascertain discovery information for the alternativeenergy source generator in response to the configuration information,transmit the discovery information to the web portal, and configure thealternative energy source generator in accordance with the configurationinformation and in response to validation of the discovery information.If the system information is not validated, the memory and the computerprogram code are further configured to, with the processor, cause theapparatus to receive an error message from the web portal, re-receivethe system information, and retransmit the system information to the webportal for revalidation. If the discovery information is not validated,the memory and the computer program code are further configured to, withthe processor, cause the apparatus to receive an error massage from theweb portal, reinitiate the discovery process to ascertain the discoveryinformation for the alternative energy source generator, and retransmitthe discovery information to the web portal for revalidation. Theapparatus is operable to communicate with the alternative energy sourcegenerator via a power line carrier (“PLC”) protocol. In accordance withthe invalid information mentioned herein, the respective apparatus mayreceive the same type of information with different values to revalidatethe invalid information.

In an embodiment, an apparatus (e.g., a web portal) for provisioning ofan alternative energy source generator (e.g., an ACPV module) includes aprocessor, and memory including computer program code. The memory andthe computer program code are configured to, with the processor, causethe apparatus to receive system information from a gateway, validate thesystem information, and determine configuration information for thealternative energy source generator in response to validation of thesystem information. The memory and the computer program code are furtherconfigured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to transmit theconfiguration information to the gateway, receive discovery informationfor the alternative energy source generator in response to theconfiguration information, and validate the discovery information toallow the gateway to configure the alternative energy source generatorin accordance with the configuration information and in response tovalidation of the discovery information. The memory and the computerprogram code are further configured to, with the processor, cause theapparatus to review the system information, the configurationinformation and the discovery information, approve an operation of thealternative energy source generator based on the system information, theconfiguration information and the discovery information, and provide anapproval of the operation to the gateway. If the system information isnot validated, the memory and the computer program code are furtherconfigured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to send an errormessage to the gateway, re-receive the system information from thegateway, and revalidate said system information. If the discoveryinformation is not validated, the memory and the computer program codeare further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus tosend an error message to the gateway, re-receive the discoveryinformation for the alternative energy source generator in response tothe configuration information, and revalidate the discovery informationto allow the gateway to configure the alternative energy sourcegenerator in accordance with the configuration information and inresponse to validation of the discovery information.

Although specific embodiments have been described above, theseembodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure, even where only a single embodiment is described withrespect to a particular feature. Examples of features provided in thedisclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictiveunless stated otherwise. The above description is intended to cover suchalternatives, modifications, and equivalents as would be apparent to aperson skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The scope of the present disclosure includes any feature or combinationof features disclosed herein (either explicitly or implicitly), or anygeneralization thereof, whether or not it mitigates any or all of theproblems addressed herein. Accordingly, new claims may be formulatedduring prosecution of this application (or an application claimingpriority thereto) to any such combination of features. In particular,with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claimsmay be combined with those of the independent claims and features fromrespective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate mannerand not merely in the specific combinations enumerated in the appendedclaims.

1. (canceled)
 2. A method for provisioning an alternative energy sourcegenerator comprising: validating system information regarding a gatewayusing a web portal; determining configuration information using the webportal for the alternative energy source generator in response tovalidation of the system information; coupling the configurationinformation to the gateway; initiating a discovery process using thegateway to ascertain discovery information for the alternative energysource generator in response to the configuration information;validating the discovery information using the web portal; andconfiguring the alternative energy source generator using the gateway inaccordance with the configuration information and in response tovalidation of the discovery information.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the system information comprises a serial number of the gatewayand the discovery information comprises a serial number of thealternative energy source generator.
 4. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising: scanning the system information from the gateway using acommunication device; and transmitting the system information from thecommunication device into the gateway.
 5. The method of claim 4, whereinthe communication device comprises at least one of a bar code or QR codescanner.
 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising: reviewing thesystem information, the configuration information and the discoveryinformation via the web portal; approving an operation of thealternative energy source generator based on the system information, theconfiguration information and the discovery information; and providingan approval of the operation to the gateway.
 7. The method of claim 2,wherein the gateway communicates with the alternative energy sourcegenerator via a power line carrier (PLC) protocol.
 8. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the alternative energy source generator is analternating current photovoltaic (ACPV) module.
 9. The method of claim2, wherein said system information comprises global positioning system(GPS) coordinates, time zone information, location information, naminginformation, installer information or any combination thereof.
 10. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the configuration information comprisesutility grid settings, time zone information or both.
 11. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the discovery information comprises identifyinginformation of the alternative energy source generator.
 12. An apparatusfor provisioning of an alternative energy source generator, comprising:a processor; and memory including computer program code that, whenexecuted by the processor, causes the apparatus to perform at least thefollowing: validate system information regarding a gateway using a webportal; receive configuration information from the web portal for thealternative energy source generator in response to validation of thesystem information; install the configuration information into thegateway; initiate a discovery process using the gateway to ascertaindiscovery information for the alternative energy source generator inresponse to the configuration information; validate the discoveryinformation using the web portal; and configure the alternative energysource generator using the gateway in accordance with the configurationinformation and in response to validation of the discovery information.13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the system information comprisesa serial number of the gateway and the discovery information comprises aserial number of the alternative energy source generator.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein said apparatus communicates with thealternative energy source generator via a power line carrier (PLC)protocol.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the alternative energysource generator is an alternating current photovoltaic (ACPV) module.16. An apparatus for provisioning an alternative energy sourcegenerator, comprising: an alternative energy source generator forproducing energy; a gateway, communicatively coupled to a web portal andthe alternative energy source generator, and configured to communicatesystem information to the web portal and the web portal is configured tovalidate the system information and is configured to communicateconfiguration information to the gateway for the alternative energysource generator; wherein the gateway is configured to initiate adiscovery process to ascertain discovery information for the alternativeenergy source generator in response to the configuration information andis configured to communicate the discovery information to the web portaland the web portal is configured to validate the discovery information;and wherein the gateway is configured to configure the alternativeenergy source generator in accordance with the configuration informationand in response to validation of the discovery information.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 16, further comprising a communications device forscanning system information and coupling the system information to thegateway.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the communication devicecomprises at least one of a bar code or QR code scanner.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein the system information comprises a serialnumber of the gateway and the discovery information comprises a serialnumber of the alternative energy source generator.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the web portal is configured to review the systeminformation, the configuration information and the discoveryinformation, approve an operation of the alternative energy sourcegenerator based on the system information, the configuration informationand the discovery information, and provide an approval of the operationto the gateway.
 21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the alternativeenergy source generator is an alternating current photovoltaic (ACPV)module.